Just got one, set it on A"auto" test drive a round town and see the cops patrol car twice but this thing never went off. Can some one let me know?
24861
I would say they weren't using their radar or had it turned off. Some patrol cars don't even have radar. The unit is very sensitive and will definitely pick up a signal. Mine has saved me from 3 tickets in the few months i've had it.
24862
The previous response has some merit, both from the police having it on, plugging it in, and different use for city and highway. After using a Valentine One since 1993 with 3 tech upgrades (I love it), I purchased a Solo because the plugging in process in my new 2014 MBZ S550 is awkward and in the way. It is my 9th MBZ and the first one with awkward plug, they were designed for a cigarette user (they still smoke a lot in Germany), not a plug-in cord After many months putting on many miles up to Oregon and down to LA, (live in Monterey) trying all the possible combinations of settings, I was thoroughly dissatisfied, to say the least, and put it away. If I had to plug it in, it didn't meet my needs. I concluded that I really don't need it in the small cities around me (the Valentine rarely went off because I drive near the speed limit) and I can put up with the inconvenience on the highway where I really need it (above the speed limit). The Solo never met the distances or performance of the Valentine. I wouldn't spend much evaluating the Solo. If it doesn't meet your expectations without having to change the settings frequently, return it. I set my Valentine once, leave it alone and I feel safe. Good luck.
24863
not all police cars have radar. of the ones that do, most have the instant on variety which are normally in standby mode until they hit a switch to measure a vehicle's speed. the unit sends out radar pulses and measures any reflected energy. it goes back to standby when the switch is released. most ethical cops only use radar these days in very low traffic area because it can be difficult to identify an offender in a target rich environment. (even lidar can present aiming/targeting challenges in these environments.) a radar detector will only sound off when a radar gun is active and not in standby. not all police cars have radar. of the ones that do, most have the instant on variety which are normally in standby mode until they hit a switch to measure a vehicle's speed. the unit sends out radar pulses and measures any reflected energy. it goes back to standby when the switch is released. most ethical cops only use radar these days in very low traffic area because it can be difficult to identify an offender in a target rich environment. (even lidar can present aiming/targeting challenges in these environments.) a radar detector will only sound off when a radar gun is active and not in... » Read More not all police cars have radar. of the ones that do, most have the instant on variety which are normally in standby mode until they hit a switch to measure a vehicle's speed. the unit sends out radar pulses and measures any reflected energy. it goes back to standby when the switch is released. most ethical cops only use radar these days in very low traffic area because it can be difficult to identify an offender in a target rich environment. (even lidar can present aiming/targeting challenges in these environments.) a radar detector will only sound off when a radar gun is active and not in standby. « Show Less
24864
The A is for autosensitivity, a compromise of both city and highway modes. It does not go off if the police are not using radar or laser, which is most likely the case here.
24865
Agree with C.A.R. And many modern pulse on radars (ProLine brand) shoot a beam about the size of a softball. Police typically aim at the front license plate so it never reachs the windshield mounted radar detector. The only way for dependable detection of those radars is full car systems, very expensive.
835956
Check this up, if its not working thats mean your car dosent have a security system.http://youtu.be/bD0RvPC-7bc
1557631
It doesn't detect "police near by when driving", it detects the speed radar that police use WHEN their radar is on. Police are well aware of people using these detectors and keep it off until you fly over the top of a hill and you fall into their speed trap, then they'll turn on their detector and you're done. Hopefully, your detector can detect that happening to the car(s) in front of you and you will know better then to speed as you drive through that area.
50797
Honestly, i only turn the one i bought, on when i'm driving long distances or if it is really late at night, it only works when a cop has his radar on. I like that it can detect in front and behind. that's worth the money. Also the other features are just if you're prone to getting pulled over
1009277
I live in VA and I have driven in front of county as well as state troopers plenty of times and I have not been pulled over yet. My friend has a tc with an exhaust which is about the same level sound as mine and he has been pulled over. I guess it is just who you drive by and the mood if the cop. I am not 100 percent sure the dB reading but if you do some research online im sure you can find it. If you want follow me on instagram @fa1_goof_ball an i posted a video of the installed product. Overall the product sounds great, and when I am around 4000rpm and let off the gas I get a nice rumble and back fire. I hope this helped I live in VA and I have driven in front of county as well as state troopers plenty of times and I have not been pulled over yet. My friend has a tc with an exhaust which is about the same level sound as mine and he has been pulled over. I guess it is just who you drive by and the mood if the cop. I am not 100 percent sure the dB reading but if you do some research online im sure you can find it. If you want follow me on instagram @fa1_goof_ball an i posted a video of the installed product. Overall the product sounds great, and when I am around 4000rpm and let off the gas I get a nice rumble... » Read More I live in VA and I have driven in front of county as well as state troopers plenty of times and I have not been pulled over yet. My friend has a tc with an exhaust which is about the same level sound as mine and he has been pulled over. I guess it is just who you drive by and the mood if the cop. I am not 100 percent sure the dB reading but if you do some research online im sure you can find it. If you want follow me on instagram @fa1_goof_ball an i posted a video of the installed product. Overall the product sounds great, and when I am around 4000rpm and let off the gas I get a nice rumble and back fire. I hope this helped « Show Less
1603223
I am driving a honda city 2009. It does switch off and on back automatically according to the car ignition. I just got the item less than 2 months, so not yet clocked 19,000hrs.
360117
Yes, if it's plugged into a continuous power port and you leave it on. One way I can tell if it stayed on is when I try to unlock the car with my remote. You have to be right next to the car to unlock it. I would steal it if I broke into your car. So I don't know if keeping it on would do you any good. It's a good monitor of what goes on around your car.
1196726
Every time I see it go off there is a patrol car sitting or driving by. Sometimes it reacts to doors at super markets like wall mart and when emergency vehicles are active they also set it off. But other than that no it does not alert you unless it is something that actually sets it off. It will constantly beep with a bar telling you how strong the signal is. The stronger the signal the faster the beep. Also it will let you know well in advance about a radar and will continue to beep until out of range.
180205
When used in the holster provided. It turns itself off... if you want you car use the manual mode and turn it off, on. Off when on the bike or on when you think it might be needed. I have used mine on the Harley ridding for over 6 months still no problems and when I check it its still very bright...
796995
I also purchased a Laser Jammer, this will give no reading back to the Police laser unit just displays 3 little dashes on the laser unit in the police car. They have no number to reference.
2153791
What I can tell you is these cameras seem to have a mind of their own. They are supposed to turn off shortly after you shut off the ignition; mine doesn't. It also doesn't start up as it's supposed to, I have to turn it on manually. Another thing it does is turn the video display on and off on its own but I can't turn it off while driving at night - the video display stays on. When a better dashcam becomes available at a reasonable price, I will buy one of those.
1910775
The device doesn't drain the battery any more than all the other computer stuff on the car. Yes, if someone can see it if they know to check the computer port (or if the car goes in for service, the technicians plug their computer into the same port). I bought an OBDII Extension Cable from Amazon at the same time and taped over the lights on the device after I installed it. It sends the GPS data whenever it is in cell coverage. I've had it for a couple of years and he hasn't found it yet. And yes, he does cheat on me.
768294
I bought the cobra vendetta, and it no longer functions properly. It only detects cops when you ar e right next to them and then only with a very weak signal. It worked great for the first 6 months or so I owned it. I think it has something to do with the county getting all new police cars recently.
645397
I've been carrying one for over a year and I don't think mine has ever came on when I didn't want it to. I'm climbing in and out of trucks and equipment all the time. I guess something might hit the button once in a while but it has to click for it to stay on.
811935
I just got it and I've only used it twice, but yes it's accurate...although one of those times it did take me on a slightly longer route which used wider streets. I assumed that was by design because I told it I was driving a 40' motor home.
796996
I also purchased a Laser Jammer, this will give no reading back to the Police laser unit just displays 3 little dashes on the laser unit in the police car.They have no number to reference.
997006
I have found out that when the power is not on & the plug is still attached to the car...the car does a repeating chirp I guess to let you know that there is a problem.